One-handed fire starter

Abstract

A novel mechanical spark generating device for one-handed operation. The novel mechanical spark generating device includes a case having a case body and a relatively moveable striker arm extended therefrom, the case body includes a channel having an opening thereinto. A pyrophoric rod assembly is moveably carried in the channel of the case body, the pyrophoric rod assembly having a support surface adjacent to one end thereof, and a pyrophoric rod carried therein. A striker bar is fixed to the striker arm in a position for interacting with the pyrophoric rod of the pyrophoric rod assembly when the pyrophoric rod assembly is in a deployed configuration extended from the case body and the striker arm is moved there toward.

1 . A mechanical spark generating device, comprising:
 a case, comprising a case body and a relatively moveable striker arm extended therefrom, the case body further comprising a channel having an opening thereinto;   a pyrophoric rod assembly moveably carried in the channel of the case body, the pyrophoric rod assembly further comprising a support surface adjacent to one end thereof, and a pyrophoric rod; and   a striker bar fixed to the striker arm in a position for interacting with the pyrophoric rod of the pyrophoric rod assembly when the pyrophoric rod assembly is in a deployed configuration extended from the case body and the striker arm is moved there toward.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a latching mechanism operable between the pyrophoric rod assembly and the channel of the case body for retaining the pyrophoric rod assembly in an undeployed configuration within the channel. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the pyrophoric rod assembly is further slidably carried in the channel of the case body between the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a biasing member positioned for urging the slidably moveable pyrophoric rod assembly toward the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising an activation mechanism operable between the striker arm and the pyrophoric rod assembly for decoupling the latching mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the striker arm further comprises a resiliently flexible arm extended from the case body and moveable relative thereto. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the pyrophoric rod assembly is further substantially completely retracted within the channel of the case body when configured in the undeployed configuration. 
   
   
       8 . A mechanical spark generating device, comprising:
 a case, comprising a case body and a flexibly resilient striker arm extended from one surface thereof, the case body further comprising a linear channel having an opening thereinto adjacent to an impact surface of the case body, and the striker arm further comprising a distal end thereof adjacent to the opening into the channel of the case body;   a pyrophoric rod assembly slidably carried in the channel of the case body, the pyrophoric rod assembly further comprising a rod carrier formed with a rod receiver cavity with a support surface adjacent to one end thereof, and a pyrophoric rod replaceably received into the rod receiver cavity; and   a striker bar formed of a substantially hard material positioned adjacent to the distal end of the striker arm in a position adjacent to the opening into the channel of the case body for interacting with at least a portion of the pyrophoric rod of the pyrophoric rod assembly when the pyrophoric rod assembly is configured in a deployed configuration extended from the impact surface of the case body, and the striker arm is resiliently deflected inwardly there toward.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a decoupleable latching mechanism operable between the rod carrier of the pyrophoric rod assembly and the channel of the case body for retaining the pyrophoric rod assembly in an undeployed configuration substantially completely enclosed within the channel. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein with the striker arm deflected inwardly toward the case body, the striker bar is further positioned for interacting with at least a portion of the pyrophoric rod of the pyrophoric rod assembly during travel of the pyrophoric rod assembly between the deployed configuration and the undeployed configuration. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a biasing member positioned between the pyrophoric rod assembly and the case body, the biasing member being in a potential energy state when the pyrophoric rod assembly is in the undeployed configuration, and the biasing member being in a substantially expended energy state when the pyrophoric rod assembly is in the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising an activation mechanism operable between the distal end of the striker arm and the rod carrier of the pyrophoric rod assembly for decoupling the decoupleable latching mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a brake mechanism operable between the pyrophoric rod assembly and the case body for retaining the pyrophoric rod assembly partially within the case body when the pyrophoric rod assembly is in the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the pyrophoric rod assembly is further substantially completely retracted within the channel of the case body when configured in the undeployed configuration. 
   
   
       15 . A mechanical spark generating device, comprising:
 a case comprising a body portion that is sized for being held in one hand;   a means for carrying a rod of pyrophoric material slidably between a deployed configuration at least partially extended from an opening of the case body, and an undeployed configuration substantially stored within the case body; and   a means for generating sparks from the rod of pyrophoric material when the rod of pyrophoric material is transited between the deployed and undeployed configurations.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the means for generating sparks from the rod of pyrophoric material further comprises a means for compressing a bar of a substantially hard material against a surface of the rod of pyrophoric material during a transit of the rod of pyrophoric material between the deployed and undeployed configurations. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the means for compressing a bar of a substantially hard material against a surface of the rod of pyrophoric material further comprises flexibly suspending the bar of a substantially hard material relative to the case body, and providing for a force applied thereto in a direction toward the rod of pyrophoric material to move the substantially hard material into contact with the surface of the rod of pyrophoric material. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a means for urging the rod of pyrophoric material to transit between the undeployed and deployed configurations. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a means for releasably retaining the rod of pyrophoric material in the undeployed configuration. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a means for releasing the means for releasably retaining the rod of pyrophoric material in the undeployed configuration.